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Learn About The Land of 10,000 Lakes
Northern Minnesota Area Lakes
Minnesota is known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" for a reason - it has more lakes than its famous slogan suggests. Each lake has its own unique character and sense of community, offering a variety of recreational activities and natural beauty. From famous historic sites and homes to sprawling state parks and forests, Minnesota's lake communities attract outdoor enthusiasts as diverse as the lake's ecosystems..
Gull Lake
Located in Brainerd, is known for its clean water, vast shoreline, and great recreational opportunities. Part of a larger chain of lakes, Gull Lake boasts over 9,400 acres and almost 40 miles of shoreline, making it popular for fishing, tubing, swimming, boating, and other water activities. It is also home to the world's largest ice fishing contest with over 10,000 anglers vying for over $150,000-worth of prizes.
Gull Lake Chain
Also located in Brainerd, consists of eight lakes covering 13,000 acres, and offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including fishing, swimming, and boating. The Gull Lake Dam, located half a mile from the outlet of the lake, is the site of a historic Craftsman-style tender's house.
Whitefish Chain
Located in a great spot for outdoor recreation, with over 100 miles of trails on the Paul Bunyan Trail and historical, archaeological, and cultural kiosks on the National Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway. The area is also known for its plethora of golf courses, lakeside dining, horseback riding, museums, and great shopping. It hosts a number of festivals throughout the year, including Winterfest in Crosslake, the Antique Snowmobile Rendezvous and Bean Hole Days in Pequot Lakes, Crosslake's St. Patrick's Day and Classic Wooden Boat Show, and Summerfest in Pine River.
Serpent Lake
Located in "Cuyuna Country" near the communities of Crosby, Deerwood, Aitkin, and Brainerd, is cherished for its location and beauty. The Cuyuna Range was created by iron ore mining over 100 years ago, and the reclaimed pits evolved into clear lakes.
Leech Lake
the third largest lake in Minnesota, has attracted families for generations. With close to 200 miles of shoreline and over 100,000 acres, it boasts the best walleye and muskie fishing around. The Walker Bay area offers historic sites, boutiques, museums, restaurants, and year-round festivals.
Ten Mile Lake
a spring-fed lake in northwest Minnesota, has over 5,000 acres, 25 miles of shoreline, and with a maximum depth of 208 feet, is one of the deepest natural lakes in the state. It is popular for swimming, snorkeling, diving, fishing, water skiing, and boating, and maintains a catch and release policy to help maintain the quality of fishing. The campgrounds surrounding the lake offer comfortable accommodations, including water and electric hookups, showers, bathrooms, and boat docks and ramps.
Rice Lake
The Rice Lake recreation area consists of over 322 acres. The maximum depth of Rice Lake sits at about 25 feet and the lake connects to the Mississippi River.
Hubert Lake
Hubert Lake is a wooded lake located southeast of Nisswa. It has over 1,000 acres and a maximum depth of 83 feet. The lake is known for its excellent water clarity and secluded setting, making it a great spot for those seeking a respite from the busier Gull Lake chain. The pines that surround the lake add to its "Up North” character and reputation. In addition to swimming, fishing, and boating, visitors can also enjoy hiking and mountain biking.
Middle Cullen Lake
Middle Cullen Lake is part of the Cullen Chain of Lakes and is located in Crow Wing County. The lake has close to 300 acres, and cabins and homes dot the shoreline of the chain. Public access to Middle Cullen Lake is on the northeast side. The lake chain is known for its diverse species of fish, clear waters, and nearby recreational opportunities that include golfing, horseback riding, and hiking. Close to Nisswa’s upscale shopping and dining and the Paul Bunyan Trail, Middle Cullen Lake has something for everyone.
Clark Lake
Clark Lake is a 343-acre lake located one mile east of Nisswa. It has a maximum depth of 31 feet and is known for its clear waters, diverse wildlife, and forested shorelines. Cottages, homes, and a hockey camp share the lake’s recreational offerings, which includes fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and more. Charming Nisswa offers visitors and locals eclectic shopping and dining.
White Sand Lake
White Sand Lake is a developed 368-acre lake located within Baxter, the heart of the famed Brainerd Lakes area. The lake is known for its shoals and water clarity, and visitors can enjoy water skiing, boating, swimming, canoeing, fishing, and kayaking during the warm months. During winter months, visitors enjoy Ski Gull. The area also boasts a number of historical sites. The Crow Wing Historical Society offers exhibits showcasing the lumber, railroad, and mining industries. Baxter is a serene and beautiful area that is home to the Mississippi and Whipple Lake. It is also known as the starting point for the Paul Bunyan Trail.
Clearwater Lake
Clearwater Lake is located in Crow Wing County and consists of over 900 acres. The lake has a sand bottom and its maximum depth is not specified.
Lake Alexander
Lake Alexander is located near Randall in Morrison County and is one of the most popular lakes in the area. Its scenic beauty, clear water, and diverse fishing have garnered an excellent reputation. The Nature Conservancy runs The Lake Alexander Preserve on the south shore, which is open to hiking. Several resorts dot the landscape as well. Bald eagles and red-shouldered hawks nest in the white pines along Lake Alexander’s shores. Bog bluegrass, a threatened native species, also thrives here.
Fish Trap Lake
Fish Trap Lake is located near Lincoln in Morrison County. Named a "pure Minnesotan jewel”, Fish Trap Lake is located only two hours north of the Twin Cities. Fish Trap is surrounded by other area lakes and there are two resorts on its shores. Popular recreational activities include canoeing, hydro-biking, kayaking, pontooning, and swimming. Bald eagles, blue herons, and other waterfowl make this appropriately named lake its home. Minutes from the lake are a championship golf course, the Paul Bunyan Trail, and Chippewa Lookout in Crow Wing Park, which offers spectacular views of the Mississippi and Crow Wing Rivers.
Sibley Lake
Sibley is near Pequot Lakes; it’s a sparkling, 418-acre lake with eight miles of shoreline. This smaller lake community boasts over 100 cabins and homes and one resort. Pequot Lake’s charming shopping district and historic Victorian cottages as well as the Paul Bunyan Trail draws people from around the area. Sibley Lake is a perfect location for those who enjoy a tranquil, pristine setting.
Shamineau Lake
Located near Motley is Shamineau Lake, a popular fishing lake known for its excellent water clarity and a "secret beach” on a northern sand bar. Shamineau Lake is one of several that make up the Lincoln Lakes Area. At 1,626 acres, Shamineau is the second largest lake in the area. It is home to two resorts and a plethora of vacation cabins and homes. Camp Shamineau is a privately owned Bible camp that owns one mile of undeveloped shoreline. Nearby Crow Wing State Park, Charles A. Lindbergh State Park, Paul Bunyan Trail, and Pillsbury State Forest attract horseback riders, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts. There are a plethora of antique stores outside Motley and The Trading Post and The Silo are two popular stops. Less than a half-hour’s drive is Little Falls, which boasts Minnesota Fishing Museum and Education Center, Musser/Weyerhaeuser Homes, Pine Grove Zoo, and more.
Sylvan Lake
Sylvan is an 803 acre lake located 2 miles northeast of Pillager in southern Cass County. A long, shallow channel connects two distinct basins.It has a maximum depth of 57 feet and 46% of the lake is 15 feet deep or less. The lake is heavily developed with 230 homes/cabins, a resort with 27 cabins, and a camp. The south basin and the channel have considerably more emergent vegetation than the north basin, limiting some development.
